Independent participatory media for Iran

Kambuzia Partovi and Maryam Moghaddam, actors in Jafar Panahi’s latest film Closed Curtain have been barred from travelling abroad upon their return to Iran from the Berlin Film Festival.

Figaro Newspaper reports that Iranian authorities have confiscated the passports of Partovi and Moghaddam which means they will no longer be able to travel for further screening of the film in other festivals.

Closed Curtain was made in Iran without a permit from the ministry of culture and guidance as Jafar Panahi, prominent Iranian filmmaker has been banned from making films.

The film was screened in the 63rd Berlinale where it won the Silver Bear for best screenplay. The prize was received by Partovi on behalf of Panahi since the filmmaker is banned from travelling abroad.

Javad Shamaghdari, head of the ministry of culture’s cinema and film department was quoted as saying that screening of films without officials permits are violations for which people will be held accountable.